Uganda School Project
2006-2007
In July 2007, a team of staff and pupils from Strathearn School went out to Uganda with ‘Abaana’, a Bangor based charity, to build a home for street kids and work with pupils in one of the primary schools. This proved to be a very successful venture and a strategic experience for the individuals and the School, and resulted in a determination to continue to support the education of young people in Uganda.
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While on that visit to Uganda we were able to see the work of Katalemwa Primary School on the outskirts of Kampala. At that time Katalemwa School catered for children in Primary 1 and Primary 2 but the director, Edward Katalemwa, had a vision to roll out education right up to Primary 7. In 2007 Katalemwa Primary was meeting in a structure made from papyrus walls and a tin roof and it soon became the vision of Strathearn School to provide the funds to build a new school structure at Katalemwa.
Between September 2007 and June 2009 a number of pupils and staff at Strathearn worked hard to raise the £50,000 needed to build a permanent building at Katalemwa Primary. The school raised money through form efforts such as bun sales, Strathearn’s Got Talent, marathon relay teams and a school fashion show. All of these events, along with help from Strandtown Primary School, have assisted in raising the money for Katalemwa
In July 2009 two teams, each of 20 girls plus staff, ventured back to
Towards the end of our time working at the primary school, the director Edward Katalemwa asked if he could change the name of Katalemwa Primary to Strathearn Primary as a gesture of thanks to all those from the Strathearn community who have helped to make the building of this primary school possible. All those involved found this most humbling.
As well as the construction work, the teams were also involved in working with the ‘Abaana’ street children project. We were able to go and work with a number of
Katalemwa/Strathearn Primary School is almost ready for students. When it is complete it is hoped that about 300 or more pupils will be able to attend the school each day.
Well done to everyone who has been involved in this project.
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In July 2011 20 girls and 5 staff returned to Uganda for a third time to complete the building work at Strathearn Primary. Over two weeks we built a 3 classroom nursery block to support the ever growing pre-school work as well as constructing a school kitchen to allow staff to prepare and serve a hot meal for the children each day. As well as building these two structures we decorated the school building with pictures of butterflies and flowers. Over the course of the 2 weeks we found plenty of opportunities to spend time with the children and staff at the school.
On Friday 21 October 2011 Strathearn School was pleased to present Abaana with a further £20,000 towards our school Uganda project (l-r, Mr Manning, Caitlin Butler, Amanda McConkey, Anna McClatchey, Mr Smith).
Over the last five years we have raised over £80,000 to build a home for 24 street children, Strathearn Primary School for 400 children, a nursery department and a kitchen at Strathearn Primary. Well done and thank you to everyone who has been involved in fundraising, travelling to Uganda and supporting our work. We know that Strathearn Primary will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children for many years to come.
